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Call for Papers Theme: The Future of Multiculturalism Subtitle: Structures, Integration Policies and Practices Type: 8th Annual Conference Institution: Centre for Research on Nationalism, Ethnicity and Multiculturalism (CRONEM), University of Surrey Migration Research Unit (MRU), University College London Location: Guildford (United Kingdom) Date: 26.–27.6.2012 Deadline: 1.2.2012 __________________________________________________ Multiculturalism as a policy approach to managing the cultural diversity of contemporary societies is once again under siege by national politicians and public commentators across Europe. Public concern about the impact of migration on social structures and cohesion has led to renewed calls for integration policies that are based greatly on ideas of assimilation rather than a desire for a genuine reciprocal integration. Furthermore, nationalist ideology or presuppositions frequently underpin the specific content of those policies. Recent attacks on multiculturalism have coincided with increasing focus on security and securitisation in response to the threat of terrorism and political violence. Indeed, for some cause and effect is undeniable, with multiculturalism directly responsible for the recent increase in radicalisation among disaffected minority youths. While such claims are highly contentious, the links that have been drawn between multiculturalism and the growth of ideological extremism have further fuelled public anxieties concerning the suitability of multiculturalist policies. Within Europe, two actors have been at the forefront of the debate. The European Union and the Council of Europe have to engage in a new dialogue about the position of migrants and minorities within the European social and political sphere. The focus of both organisations has been on “Intercultural Dialogue” as an alternative to multiculturalism. The aim is to establish an acknowledged form of respectful and open exchange between individuals and groups from different cultural backgrounds. This is seen as crucial for promoting tolerance and understanding, preventing conflicts, enhancing societal cohesion, and ensuring the democratic participation of all individuals in the cultural, social and economic life of the states in which they reside. In the case of the EU, 2008 was the Year of Intercultural Dialogue which sought to establish a framework of soft policy measures to support this new approach/strategy. The conference seeks to provide an opportunity for interdisciplinary debate on: - the different forms of multiculturalism identifiable in Europe and beyond - critiques of multiculturalism - alternative policy approaches – including intercultural dialogue – for the management of cultural diversity issues - the intertwining of security and securitisation issues and the debate on multiculturalism - sources of radicalisation, political violence and terrorism - the relationship between multiculturalism, social exclusion, democratic citizenship and political participation - the impact of international policy networks on national “integration” policies - comparative perspectives on states’ experiences of multiculturalism - political challenges to multiculturalism, migrant communities and intercultural dialogue - responses to migration: legal, economic and political - current migration trends and policy approaches We would like to encourage the submission of individual papers and posters which address these various issues. Papers or posters situating individual state perspectives within the wider international dimension as well as comparative works are particularly welcome. We also welcome the submission of empirical and theoretical contributions looking at the impact of current debates on the wider socio-political and legal environment. In addition to individual papers and posters, we also encourage the submission of proposals for convened symposia. A symposium may consist either of a roundtable or a panel, which provide a range of perspectives on a particular issue or set of related issues. It is useful for the final presentation in a symposium to be made by a discussant, who can reflect on the contributions of the symposium as a whole. A symposium normally lasts 80 minutes, with each paper being allocated 15-20 minutes. The convener of the symposium is responsible for submitting both the overall abstract for the session and the abstracts of the individual contributing papers (on behalf of their authors). The convener will be responsible for communicating with the symposium contributors and with the conference organisers about the symposium proposal. We would particularly like to encourage the submission of symposia which draw upon a range of different disciplinary perspectives. Please submit abstracts for papers and posters (not more than 200 words) and abstracts for convened symposia (symposium abstract - not more than 300 words; individual paper abstracts - not more than 200 words each) through the online submission forms. Important dates: Closing date for abstracts: 1 February 2012 Notification of abstract acceptance: 15 February 2012 Registration deadline for presenters: 3 May 2012 Paper submission: 6 May 2012 Papers will be made available to conference delegates in advance of the conference. Please note that we do not offer financial assistance for registration, travel or accommodation. There will be a limited number of places for students at a discounted rate. For more information about the event, please contact Mrs Mirela Dumic ([email protected]). Conference website: http://www.surrey.ac.uk/cronem/newsandevents/conferences/cronem_annual_conference_2012.htm __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
